This hand tufted wool relief designed by Daniel Hechter is part of the newest carpet collection of the French manufacturer Toulemonde Bachart. The crystalline surface is composed of different shades of gray which slightly change depending on the light incidence.

The Dutch designer and graduate from Design Academy Eindhoven Anique Noordman realised this series of delicate, “subcutaneously” patterned textiles as her final project. Due to geometric pieces of rubber and vinyl which are mounted behind the fabric the curtain recieves in a certain stiffness and the drapery appears according to the grid of the inlays.

Tue 19.10.

As we see in Pakistan right now, it can take months and years until victims of natural catastrophes have a roof over their heads again. The British company Concrete Canvas produces highly durable shelters made from a flexible, cement impregnated fabric – ‘Concrete Cloth’ – that hardens when hydrated to form a thin, durable, water and fire proof concrete layer.

An interview in the Swiss daily newspaper Tagesanzeiger which was entitled “Chairs are the best wardorbes” drew my attention to Moritz Schmid and his designs. The Zürich based industrial designer described the work on his new furniture he designed for the Swiss manufacturer Pfister. ‘Aris’ is part of the recently launched, new collection which was developed under the curatorship of Alfredo Häberli.

Tue 5.10.

The Spanish carpet manufacturer nanimarquina just presented this beautiful video which describes in impressive images the production and the artisanry of their skilled workers in India.

On the basis of this premise, in 1994 several companies that imported carpets from India, Nepal and Pakistan founded the Care & Fair organisation. Its principal objective: to eradicate child labour from the carpet manufacturing industry in these areas.

nanimarquina has been a member of Care & Fair since the outset and can therefore guarantee that no child labour has been used in the production of their rugs.

nanimarquina will exhibit at this year’s Design Biennale INTERIEUR 2010 in Kortrijk.

His impressing colourful visual landscapes were discovered by one of the best textile companies. Kvadrat will launch a new collection of textiles designed by the Barcelona born and London based pattern designer Cristian Zuzunaga.

His cushion collection, ‘Squaring of the Circle’, consists of three designs, named ‘Spirit’, ‘Soul’ and ‘Fire’, which are all constructed from pixels – the designer’s trademark pattern. Each cushion will be unique thanks to the repeat of the printed fabric. This as well as Cristian Zuzunaga’s curtain collection ‘Skyline and Cityscape’ will be presented during this year’s London Design Festival at the Kvadrat showroom, 10 Shepherdess Walk, London N1 7LB.

Mon 30.8.

The Belgian designer Peter Donders developed these ultra-light seating furniture made from 462 m (pouf) and 320 m (bench) of carbon-fibre under his label morphs. The single string of fibre was twisted around a form that was removed afterwards.

“The resulting structure is airy yet incredibly strong and has been aptly described as ”caligraphy in 3d”. Currently the ultimate material available in terms of weight to strength ratio, carbon fiber is used to produce Formula One racecars, the highest quality sporting equipment, and even the chassis of spacecrafts. This exceptional piece will be offered in a limited edition of 10 pieces.”

Together with Giulio Ridolfi the Milan based designer Patricia Urquiola was assigned to create a conceptual installation for the Danish textile manufacturer Kvadrat and the German carmaker BMW. The result of this fruitful collaboration are these huge cone-like structures that seem to be growing out of the car’s body.

The installation will be showcased during this year’s London Design Festival 22nd – 26th September 2010 at The Tramshed Event in the old disused electricity power station for the Shoreditch tram system. Beside ‘The Dwelling Lab’ there will be 25 exclusive international design brands exhibiting at this bold new venue.